I replaced my steering box and well the pitman arm was a PITA obviously but my problem is with the ball stud that goes into the pitman arm spins when I try to tighten it. I've tried putting pressure on it and nothing just free spins. Am I able to just replace that stud on the drag link or do I have to replace the entire thing? It's a 96 eclb with ttb.

I have to say everything on this truck fights me. The front end was lifted up when my steering gear decided to blow up and jack the wheels to the side, which in turn broke my clockspring in my steering wheel. Nothing ever goes smooth.

If the nut is on right, try using a pneumatic impact to get the nut on. Just push down on the ball joint and to the side a bit and hit it with the impact. Don't use the impact to tighten it all the way, just snug it and use a torque wrench to get it to the torque spec. I haven't had any that I couldn't get done that way unless the threads are messed up on the ball joint.

If you're not fortunate enough to have air, just use a pair of pliers to hold the protruding threaded end of the stud as you turn the nut with a ratcheting box wrench (gearwrench). It'll eventually seat the ball joint into the arm tight enough that it won't rotate. It may gall the threads a little, but they'll clean up the next time you have to remove the nut.

See picture, is this what you are talking about? If so, I have replaced just the ball joint end that attaches to the pitman arm. I agree that working on the older trucks is a bit more challenging!

That is what I'm talking about but mine doesn't have the adjusting sleeve it's all a solid bar over to the passenger wheel then has the adjuster.

I will try to get a impact in there and try holding the top of it. I just don't want to mess the threads up and not be able to replace it.

Also I have what I'm assuming is a air pocket because I had power steering then all of a sudden it stopped giving me power. I've seen how to bleed it with hydro boost but what about my conventional system. What would be the best way.

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